A safe visit for our Pope

CALLING on all Filipinos regardless of faith: let’s join hands to make the visit in January 2014 of Pope Francis a safe one. We are very fortunate and honored that the Pope has chosen our country, and has reached out to typhoon Yolanda victims. The new Pope is very new in his challenging job as the father of the Catholic Church but he is addressing issues and concerns of the Catholic Church in the most unconventional but practical way and his pronouncements are well-received. True to being Pope of the poor, he will surely give not only comfort to the poor but also to victims of injustices, victims of calamities and other maladies. He will truly be great inspiration for Christians to take trials as the measure of strength of their faith.

Come January let us welcome him safely, keep a distance and not to mob him, to prevent injuries on his person. And from this time till his coming, let us all work together as one to protect him from all threats, real or imagined. Security for our beloved Pope is not only a police or military matter. It is everybody’s concern. Let us not add to his inconvenience, let us not just be curious, but regard the visit as holy moments as we commune with the representative of God. Let us follow rules, regulations and show we are a people capable of welcoming the Pope in a peaceful and orderly manner. The world will be watching us.